Bellows for articulated joints

Abstract

A bellows having a substructure including a first end and a second end, the ends being movable relative to one another, circumferential bulges, which are spaced apart by first constricted regions, being formed in the substructure between the ends, and a second constricted region being formed in at least one bulge. The width of the second constricted region corresponds at least to its height in order to reduce the axial stiffness and increase the radial stiffness.

1 . A bellows comprising: 
 a substructure including: 
 a first end;  
 a second end; the second end movable relative to the first end; and  
 circumferential bulges, between the first and second ends;  
 circumferential bulges being spaced apart by first constricted regions; and  
 at least one circumferential bulge of the circumferential bulges having a second constricted region with a depth and a width, the width being no greater than the depth.  
   
   
   
       2 . The bellows as recited in  claim 1  wherein the at least one circumferential bulge has two ridges bounding a second constricted region.  
   
   
       3 . The bellows as recited in  claim 1  wherein the first and the second constricted regions are disposed concentrically.  
   
   
       4 . The bellows as recited in  claim 1  wherein the width of the second constricted region is less than a wall thickness of the substructure.  
   
   
       5 . The bellows as recited in  claim 4  wherein the width of the second constricted region is 1 mm or less.  
   
   
       6 . The bellows as recited in  claim 1  wherein the depth of the second constricted region is greater than or equal to a wall thickness of the substructure.  
   
   
       7 . The bellows as recited in  claim 6  wherein the depth of the second constricted region is 1 to 2 mm.  
   
   
       8 . The bellows as recited in  claim 1  wherein the second constricted region is formed in an area of an outermost circumference of the bulges.  
   
   
       9 . The bellows as recited in  claim 1  wherein the second constricted region has a triangular cross section.  
   
   
       10 . The bellows as recited in  claim 1  wherein the second constricted region has a rectangular cross section.  
   
   
       11 . The bellows as recited in  claim 1  wherein the second constricted region has a trapezoidal cross section.  
   
   
       12 . The bellows as recited in  claim 1  wherein the second constricted region has a rhombic cross section.  
   
   
       13 . The bellows as recited in  claim 1  wherein the second constricted region has a polygonal cross section.  
   
   
       14 . The bellows as recited in  claim 1  wherein the second constricted region has a semicircular cross section.  
   
   
       15 . The bellows as recited in  claim 1  wherein the second constricted region has an elliptical cross section.  
   
   
       16 . The bellows as recited in  claim 1  wherein the second constricted region has a parabolic cross section.  
   
   
       17 . The bellows as recited in  claim 1  wherein the second constricted region has a hyperbolical cross section.  
   
   
       18 . The bellows as recited in  claim 1  wherein the second constricted region has undercuts.  
   
   
       19 . The bellows as recited in  claim 1  wherein rounded edges formed in or on the second constricted region.  
   
   
       20 . The bellows as recited in  claim 1  wherein the substrate has an axially symmetric design.  
   
   
       21 . The bellows as recited in  claim 1  wherein the substructure has an axial passageway coinciding with the first and second ends.  
   
   
       22 . The bellows as recited in  claim 1  wherein the substructure is frustoconical.